Galesburg Radio 14 WGIL » State Newshttp://wgil.com/v3
Radio designed for the people of GalesburgTue, 31 Mar 2015 22:02:07 +0000en-UShourly1http://wordpress.org/?v=4.1.1Ameren To Clean Century-Old Contamination at Belleville Sitehttp://wgil.com/v3/2015/03/31/ameren-to-clean-century-old-contamination-at-belleville-site/
http://wgil.com/v3/2015/03/31/ameren-to-clean-century-old-contamination-at-belleville-site/#commentsTue, 31 Mar 2015 16:45:44 +0000http://wgil.com/v3/?p=28440BELLEVILLE, Ill. (AP) — Ameren Illinois says it will spend $35 million to clean a more than century-old contamination of tar and ash in Belleville.

Ameren spokesman Brian Bretsch says the city-owned site of the former Belleville Gas Light & Coke Co. will be cleaned. The Belleville News-Democrat reports that the work will take about three years but when it’s finished the city will be able to redevelop the property. Belleville Mayor Mark Eckert said the city doesn’t yet have specific plans for the property.

The contamination came from the process of creating gas from coal. The city used the gas in street lamps in the late 1800s. The plant closed in 1917.

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency examined the site and found contaminated groundwater, among other issues.

]]>BELLEVILLE, Ill. (AP) — Ameren Illinois says it will spend $35 million to clean a more than century-old contamination of tar and ash in Belleville.

Ameren spokesman Brian Bretsch says the city-owned site of the former Belleville Gas Light & Coke Co. will be cleaned. The Belleville News-Democrat reports that the work will take about three years but when it’s finished the city will be able to redevelop the property. Belleville Mayor Mark Eckert said the city doesn’t yet have specific plans for the property.

The contamination came from the process of creating gas from coal. The city used the gas in street lamps in the late 1800s. The plant closed in 1917.

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency examined the site and found contaminated groundwater, among other issues.

Madigan’s office says she plans a Tuesday news conference in Chicago. She’ll be joined by St. Clair County State’s Attorney Brendan Kelly, Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez and the Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault.

]]>CHICAGO (AP) — Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan is starting an effort to fight sexual assault in the state and increase prosecutions of the crime.

Madigan’s office says she plans a Tuesday news conference in Chicago. She’ll be joined by St. Clair County State’s Attorney Brendan Kelly, Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez and the Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault.

]]>http://wgil.com/v3/2015/03/31/illinois-ag-to-announce-statewide-anti-sexual-assault-effort/feed/0Peoria Insurance Firm to Make $15M Headquarters Additionhttp://wgil.com/v3/2015/03/31/peoria-insurance-firm-to-make-15m-headquarters-addition/
http://wgil.com/v3/2015/03/31/peoria-insurance-firm-to-make-15m-headquarters-addition/#commentsTue, 31 Mar 2015 16:35:48 +0000http://wgil.com/v3/?p=28433PEORIA, Ill. (AP) — The insurance firm RLI Corp. has announced a $15 million addition to its headquarters in Peoria.

The Journal Star reports that RLI chairman and CEO Jonathan Michael made the announcement on Monday. He called it the “next phase of renovation” after the company completed a $20 million facelift in 2013.

The latest construction will include a new building and reroute a roadway. Work is scheduled to be finished in 2016.

]]>PEORIA, Ill. (AP) — The insurance firm RLI Corp. has announced a $15 million addition to its headquarters in Peoria.

The Journal Star reports that RLI chairman and CEO Jonathan Michael made the announcement on Monday. He called it the “next phase of renovation” after the company completed a $20 million facelift in 2013.

The latest construction will include a new building and reroute a roadway. Work is scheduled to be finished in 2016.

The Chicago Tribune poll published Tuesday shows Emanuel with the backing of 58 percent of voters, compared to 30 percent for Garcia. The 28 percentage-point lead is double what it was three weeks ago. Nine percent of voters are undecided.

The newspaper says the mayor is making gains among white voters, with 72 percent support. Garcia lost support among white voters, with 25 percent backing him.

There was little change among black voters for Emanuel or Garcia. Garcia has more support than Emanuel among Latino voters, 52 percent to 36 percent.

The poll was conducted March 25-29 and has an error margin of 3.7 percentage points

]]>CHICAGO (AP) — A new poll shows Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel has opened a large lead over challenger Jesus “Chuy” Garcia ahead of next week’s runoff election.

The Chicago Tribune poll published Tuesday shows Emanuel with the backing of 58 percent of voters, compared to 30 percent for Garcia. The 28 percentage-point lead is double what it was three weeks ago. Nine percent of voters are undecided.

The newspaper says the mayor is making gains among white voters, with 72 percent support. Garcia lost support among white voters, with 25 percent backing him.

There was little change among black voters for Emanuel or Garcia. Garcia has more support than Emanuel among Latino voters, 52 percent to 36 percent.

The poll was conducted March 25-29 and has an error margin of 3.7 percentage points

]]>http://wgil.com/v3/2015/03/31/newspaper-poll-mayor-emanuel-opens-big-lead-over-garcia/feed/0Hendricks’ Shutout Streak Ends, Cubs Top Giantshttp://wgil.com/v3/2015/03/31/hendricks-shutout-streak-ends-cubs-top-giants/
http://wgil.com/v3/2015/03/31/hendricks-shutout-streak-ends-cubs-top-giants/#commentsTue, 31 Mar 2015 14:17:16 +0000http://wgil.com/v3/?p=28413MESA, Ariz. (AP) — Chicago Cubs starter Kyle Hendricks gave up his first runs this spring after extending his scoreless streak to 12 innings in an 8-5 win over the San Francisco Giants on Monday.

Hendricks, who went 7-2 with a 2.46 ERA as a rookie, didn’t allow a run in his first two exhibition outings. He threw five shutout innings against the Giants before they scored five times in the sixth.

Hendricks went 5 1-3 innings, allowing seven hits with a walk and striking out five.

Joe Panik led off the Giants’ sixth with a home run and Daniel Carbonell had a bases-loaded, two-run double.

Giants starter Tim Hudson gave up 10 hits and four runs in 4 2-3 innings.

]]>MESA, Ariz. (AP) — Chicago Cubs starter Kyle Hendricks gave up his first runs this spring after extending his scoreless streak to 12 innings in an 8-5 win over the San Francisco Giants on Monday.

Hendricks, who went 7-2 with a 2.46 ERA as a rookie, didn’t allow a run in his first two exhibition outings. He threw five shutout innings against the Giants before they scored five times in the sixth.

Hendricks went 5 1-3 innings, allowing seven hits with a walk and striking out five.

Joe Panik led off the Giants’ sixth with a home run and Daniel Carbonell had a bases-loaded, two-run double.

Giants starter Tim Hudson gave up 10 hits and four runs in 4 2-3 innings.

]]>http://wgil.com/v3/2015/03/31/hendricks-shutout-streak-ends-cubs-top-giants/feed/0Chicago Man Gets 40 years For Trying To Hire Hit Manhttp://wgil.com/v3/2015/03/31/chicago-man-gets-40-years-for-trying-to-hire-hit-man/
http://wgil.com/v3/2015/03/31/chicago-man-gets-40-years-for-trying-to-hire-hit-man/#commentsTue, 31 Mar 2015 14:06:15 +0000http://wgil.com/v3/?p=28405CHICAGO (AP) — A 31-year-old Chicago man will spend four decades in prison for attempting to enlist the help of a hit man to kill a Cook County assistant state’s attorney.

Edward Carreon was convicted last month of felony solicitation of murder for hire. He was sentenced Monday to 40 years in prison.

The Office of the Cook County State’s Attorney says the murder plot came to light in February 2013. The office says Carreon talked to a fellow inmate about recruiting a hit man to kill an assistant state’s attorney who prosecuted and helped convict him of sexually assaulting a 12-year-old on numerous occasions.

Prosecutors say Carreon offered to pay $25,000 to an undercover officer posing as a hit man.

]]>CHICAGO (AP) — A 31-year-old Chicago man will spend four decades in prison for attempting to enlist the help of a hit man to kill a Cook County assistant state’s attorney.

Edward Carreon was convicted last month of felony solicitation of murder for hire. He was sentenced Monday to 40 years in prison.

The Office of the Cook County State’s Attorney says the murder plot came to light in February 2013. The office says Carreon talked to a fellow inmate about recruiting a hit man to kill an assistant state’s attorney who prosecuted and helped convict him of sexually assaulting a 12-year-old on numerous occasions.

Prosecutors say Carreon offered to pay $25,000 to an undercover officer posing as a hit man.

]]>http://wgil.com/v3/2015/03/31/chicago-man-gets-40-years-for-trying-to-hire-hit-man/feed/0Illinois High School Shrine Game set for June 20http://wgil.com/v3/2015/03/31/illinois-high-school-shrine-game-set-for-june-20/
http://wgil.com/v3/2015/03/31/illinois-high-school-shrine-game-set-for-june-20/#commentsTue, 31 Mar 2015 13:54:28 +0000http://wgil.com/v3/?p=28403SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Nearly 90 of Illinois’ best football players are scheduled to participate in an annual all-star game to raise money for the Shriners Hospitals for Children.

The Illinois Coaches Association and the Shriners of Illinois are hosting the 41st annual Illinois High School Shrine Game on June 20 on the campus of Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington.

Officials organizing the event say last year’s game raised over $23,000 that went to providing medical care for children at the 22 Shriners hospitals.

This year’s game will be aired live on Cities 92.9-FM. The featured banquet speaker will be Tennessee Titans player Alex Tanney who played in the event in 2006.

Gov. Bruce Rauner on Monday announced a new campaign from the National Foundation for Governors’ Fitness Councils.
The program encourages educators to look for innovative ways to improve students’ fitness and nutrition. Three schools will be selected as “National Champion Schools” and will win $100,000 fitness centers.

The program and the fitness centers are funded through partnerships with companies such as Nike and Coca-Cola. It’s already been rolled out in Arkansas, Texas and Florida.

Rauner says Illinois has some of the highest childhood obesity rates in the nation. He says the program has had a “huge impact” in other states.

The campaign’s chairman is Jake Steinfeld, founder and CEO of Body By Jake Global.

]]>SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Illinois is the latest state to join a national program aimed at reducing childhood obesity.

Gov. Bruce Rauner on Monday announced a new campaign from the National Foundation for Governors’ Fitness Councils.
The program encourages educators to look for innovative ways to improve students’ fitness and nutrition. Three schools will be selected as “National Champion Schools” and will win $100,000 fitness centers.

The program and the fitness centers are funded through partnerships with companies such as Nike and Coca-Cola. It’s already been rolled out in Arkansas, Texas and Florida.

Rauner says Illinois has some of the highest childhood obesity rates in the nation. He says the program has had a “huge impact” in other states.

The campaign’s chairman is Jake Steinfeld, founder and CEO of Body By Jake Global.

]]>http://wgil.com/v3/2015/03/31/illinois-joins-campaign-to-reduce-childhood-obesity/feed/0Suburban Chicago Man Gets Life For Armed Robberyhttp://wgil.com/v3/2015/03/31/suburban-chicago-man-gets-life-for-armed-robbery/
http://wgil.com/v3/2015/03/31/suburban-chicago-man-gets-life-for-armed-robbery/#commentsTue, 31 Mar 2015 13:45:53 +0000http://wgil.com/v3/?p=28399CHICAGO (AP) — A suburban Chicago man has been sentenced to life in prison for an armed robbery set up by placing a bogus ad to sell a motorcycle.

A statement from the DuPage County state’s attorney’s office says 44-year-old Luis Moreta of Northlake was sentenced Monday for a 2011 armed robbery in Addison. Jurors convicted him last year.

Prosecutors say Moreta and two accomplices posted the false ad online and arranged sale the motorcycle for $3,700. When the victim arrived with several acquaintances, Moreta and the two others ambushed them, taking their money, car keys, wallets and cellphones.

State’s Attorney Robert Berlin says in the Monday statement that Moreta is “a habitual violent criminal” whose past has caught up with him. He says the defendant “earned” his life sentence.

]]>CHICAGO (AP) — A suburban Chicago man has been sentenced to life in prison for an armed robbery set up by placing a bogus ad to sell a motorcycle.

A statement from the DuPage County state’s attorney’s office says 44-year-old Luis Moreta of Northlake was sentenced Monday for a 2011 armed robbery in Addison. Jurors convicted him last year.

Prosecutors say Moreta and two accomplices posted the false ad online and arranged sale the motorcycle for $3,700. When the victim arrived with several acquaintances, Moreta and the two others ambushed them, taking their money, car keys, wallets and cellphones.

State’s Attorney Robert Berlin says in the Monday statement that Moreta is “a habitual violent criminal” whose past has caught up with him. He says the defendant “earned” his life sentence.

]]>http://wgil.com/v3/2015/03/31/suburban-chicago-man-gets-life-for-armed-robbery/feed/0Old Oak Tree May Be Threatened by Developmenthttp://wgil.com/v3/2015/03/31/old-oak-tree-may-be-threatened-by-development/
http://wgil.com/v3/2015/03/31/old-oak-tree-may-be-threatened-by-development/#commentsTue, 31 Mar 2015 13:44:05 +0000http://wgil.com/v3/?p=28397WAUKEGAN, Ill. (AP) — A giant Bur oak tree estimated to be more than 200 years old may be threatened by a developer’s construction plans in the northern Illinois city of Waukegan.

The tree is growing at a busy intersection outside a bank that’s slated for demolition. The 5-acre property recently was purchased by a development firm.

Neighbors are trying to save the tree. City Planner Russ Tomlin tells the Chicago Tribune the city hasn’t seen the developer’s final plans. Tomlin says officials will take “a long look” at the matter before making any decisions.

A tree specialist’s formula says the oak is about 226 years old. That means it would have sprouted when Waukegan was still a trading post known as Little Fort. Bur oaks can live up to 450 years.

]]>WAUKEGAN, Ill. (AP) — A giant Bur oak tree estimated to be more than 200 years old may be threatened by a developer’s construction plans in the northern Illinois city of Waukegan.

The tree is growing at a busy intersection outside a bank that’s slated for demolition. The 5-acre property recently was purchased by a development firm.

Neighbors are trying to save the tree. City Planner Russ Tomlin tells the Chicago Tribune the city hasn’t seen the developer’s final plans. Tomlin says officials will take “a long look” at the matter before making any decisions.

A tree specialist’s formula says the oak is about 226 years old. That means it would have sprouted when Waukegan was still a trading post known as Little Fort. Bur oaks can live up to 450 years.